Trench machine



J. F. REILLY. TRENCH MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.2, I921.

Patented Oct. 24, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- frwenigr:

Patented (lot. 24, 1922.

sane stares 'rnnnon MACHINE.

Original application filed June 6, 1921,

T 0 all whom t may concern: Be it known that 1, James F. REILLY, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trench llachines of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to trench machines, that is to say, to apparatus adapted for use in facilitating the operations in and about trenches used for sewers, conduits and other similar purposes, and in such connection my present invention relates more particularly to improved means for manipulating the sheet piling which is often required in and about such trench operations.

In my previous application for Letters Patent filed June 6, 1921, Serial No. 475,178,

of'which this application is a division, there is shown and described an invention the object of which is-to provide a track supporting structure for trench machines which may be readily and easily erected at the operation, and which, when erected, is very efficient in its construction, with the various parts thereof held rigidly together.

The principal object of my present invention is to provide improved means for placing the sheet piling which is often required in and about trench and other engineering operations, which means, while being particularly adaptable for use in connection with a structure of the general character shown and described in my'previous application for Letters Patent hereinbefore referred to, is, however, also adaptable for use in connection with other types of trench machines and other similar structures used in and about engineering operations requiring the use. of sheet piling, in connection with which it is desirable to have a convenient means for manipulating said sheet piling and apparatus for accurately placing and driving the same. i

The nature and characteristic features of my present invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which-- 'Figure 1 is a transverse section of the framework of the track supporting structure of a trench machine provided with pile Serial no. 475,178. Divided and this application filed August 2,

Serial No. 489,195.

manipulating apparatus embodying the main features of my present invention;

2 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is ,a perspective view of a device for attaching the trackway to the top of the horizontal beams of the framework of the trench machine Fig. l is a similar perspective view of a device for attaching the rails to the cross timbers or ties upon which rails the framework of the trench machine is adapted to be moved along the lines of the operation as the work progresses;

Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating, in side elevation, the arrangement for uniting the top horizontal beam to the uprights of the bents of the trench machine;

Fig. 6 is top or plan view thereof;

Fig. 7 is a similar top or plan view of the arrangement for uniting the lower hori zontal members to the side uprights of the bents of the trench machine;

Fig. 8 is a view similarto Fig. 5, but showing the arrangement for uniting the longitudinal tie members to the bents of the trench machine, the longitudinal tie members being shown in section; and

Fig. 9 is a top or plan view thereof, the uprights of the bent being shown in section.

Referring to the drawings, in the particular embodiment of my invention therein shown, the framework of the trench machine for supporting the overhead trackway comprises a series of bents 10 formed of structural steel members united to each other in the peculiar manner hereinafter described, said bents being connected by means of longitudinal tie members similarly united to the uprights of the bents.

Each of the bents 10 comprises uprights 11 inclined inwardly and connected at their top ends by means of a horizontal beam 12, and at their lower portions by means of a horizontal member 13, and between their upper and lower extremities by means of a horizontal member 14 which is preferably located some distance below the center so as to provide a larger clearway through the bents for the passage of the buckets or other devices for conveying the materials from place to place during the trench operation.

The side uprights 11 are preferably made; up of two channels, arranged with their flanges outward, and spaced a slight distance from each other, to stiffen the same, by means of the connecting devices hereinafter described. t

, At the lower end of each of the uprights 11 there is fixedly secured a bracket 15, in which a flanged roller or wheel 16 is journal'l-ed. The flanged rollers or wheels 16 are provided so that the entire framework'may be moved along the lines of the trench as the work progresses, and for this purpose the rollers or wheels 16 are mounted on tracks or rails 17 which, in turn, are mounted on cross timbers 18 by means ofcleats 19, shown in detached perspective in Fig. 1- of the drawings. The cleats 19 comprise bottom. plates 20 having apertures 21 extending therethrough for bolting or otherwise securing the'same to the cross timbers l8. Extending upward from the bottom plate 20 are extensions 22 which overlap the bottom flanges of the tracks or rails 17, the overlapping extensions 22 in effect forming a groove 23 complemental in shape to the bottom flanges of the rails, within which groove the rails 1'7 are capable of longitudinal adjustment. Set screws 2% extend through one of the wings or extensions "22 to securely fasten the rail within the cleats 19 after the rails 17 and timbers 18 are properly located with respect to the trench lines.

The top horizontal beam 12 is preferably made of a structural steel I bean'i, and at each end of said I beam there is rigidly secured, on each side of the web thereof, a plate member 25 having a portion extending beyond the end of the beam and having its end bent out-ward, forming an angular extension 26, each pair of said angular extensions forming in effect a T shape at each end of the top horizontal beam 12, as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. At the upper end of each upright 11 there is provided a socket member 27 comprising a casting having a tongue 28 extending between the two channels forming the upright 11 and serving as'a spacer for separating said channels a sufficient distance to stiffen the same, the tongue 28 being secured between the channels by means of rivetsi29 or other suit able fastening devices of a permanent character. The casting 27 has a portion extending on the inner side of the upright 11, having a recess or pocket 30 therein for the reception of the angular extensions 26 of the members 25. which are secured to the ends of the top horizontal beam 12. It willhe noted that the recess or pocket 30 of the socket member 27 extends preferably in a vertical direction, and not parallel tothe inclination'of th e upright 11, this arrangement being provided so as to facilitate the joining of the horizontal beam 12 to the top ends of the uprights 11 when assembling the structure, orseparating the same when dismantling the structure.

The lower horizontal member 13 and the intermediatehorizontal member 14; are likewise provided with plate members 25 rigidly secured on each side of the web thereof, at each end thereof,'also having angular extensions26, each pair of which also forms an extended T-shaped device adapted to be received in the pocket or. recess 30 of the socket members 27 which are provided at suitable locations on the uprights 11, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It may here be noted that sets of various lengths of the top horizontal beams 12, the lower horizontal members 13, and the intermediate horizontal members 14-, may be provided whereby the bents may be put together in desired widths, so that the structure may be'readily adapted for use in con nectionwith trenches of various widths, at a minimum of expense and trouble.

The bents 10 are secured to each other by meansof longitudinal tie members arranged along the lines of the uprights 11, near the top and bottom thereof (see Figs. 1 and 2), the tie members 35 preferably being made of structural steel channel beams. For securing the ends of the tie members 35 to the uprights 11 of the bents 10, there is preferably secured on the outer side of the web of the channel at each end thereof, a plate member 36 having an angular extension 37, which is seated in a pocket 38 in a portion 39 of a socket member 40 which is secured to the upright 11 by means of a tongue 11. The tongue a1 extends between the channels forming the upright 11 and is secured thereto by means of rivets 12 or other suitable fastening devices of a permanent character. The pockets 38 into which the angular extensions 37 are fitted are open at the topso that the longitudinal tie members 35 may be readily oined to the uprights 11 or removed therefrom as the framework is assembled or dismantled, when required. The top horizontal beam 12 forms a means for supporting a longitudinally extending trackway which preferably consists of an I beam 15, said I beam 15 being suspended from the lower flange of the horizontal strut 12 by means of the devices 16, one of which is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, comprising a casting having a slot 17 extending therethrough complemental in shape tothe lower flanges of'the top beam 12 ofthe bent 10, and alsohaving another similar slot 48 on the underside extending'transversely to the slot 17, which slot 18 is complemental in shape to the upper flanges of the I beam 415 which forms the main trackway. Suitable set screws 49-and 50 are provided for locking the casting 16 both with respect to the justed withrespect to each other.

l/Vith theforegoing description of the pre- ,ferred construction ofthe trench machine in mind, the particular arrangement of the preferred form of the apparatus for manipulating the sheet piling may now be described, this apparatus being particularly adaptable for use in connection with a trench machineof the foregoing type.

The topbeam 12 of each bent 10 serves to support, on each side of the main central trackway 415, an auxiliary trackway comprising smaller I beams .51 which are secured to the under flange of the top beam 11- by means of castings; 4E6, similar to those used for supporting the main trackway 45. These auxiliary tracks 51 serve as a means for placing the sheet pilingwhichis often necessary in trench work, and are particularly useful as a means for expeditiously handling the pile driving hammer 58, shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, which pile driving hammer may be supported by means of suitable pulleys 54: and 5 5 and rope 56, the top pulley 55 being supported by a carriage-57 having wheels 58 which are adapted to run on the lower flanges of the I beam forming the trackway 51.

By the foregoing arrangement, there is provided; a construction ofapparatus for manipulating the sheet piling often required in and about trench and other similar engineering operations, by means of which the operations of placing and driving the sheet piling where necessary will be greatly facilitated. It will also be noted in this connection that, when necessary for placing the sheet piling, the lower horizontal members l3 and 141 of the bents of the trench machine may be temporarily removed in an expeditious manner when it is required to insert the sheet piling in proximity to the location of any of the bents, and it will furthermore be noted that the pile driving hammer may be readily shifted from place to place on the auxiliary trackway, and also that the auxiliary trackway may be adjusted sidewise to enable the pile driving hammer to be positioned directly over the line of the sheet piling at the sides of the trench so that the sheet piling will be more readily and accurately driven to position.

Having thus described I the nature and characteristic features of invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In apparatus of the character de scribed, a framework consisting of a series (if bents each comprising uprights, a top horizontal beam, and lower horizontal members, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting the foregoing parts to each other, longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, a main trackway comprising an, I beam centrally supported from the top horizontal beams of the bents, auxiliary trackways adjustable with respect to the main trackway comprising I beams supported from the top horizontal beams on each side of the main trackway, means for adjustably supporting said I beams comprising devices having grooves transversely arranged with respect to each other and shaped complemental to and overlapping the fianges of said I beams and the top horizontal beams of the bents, a carriage adapted to travel on said auxiliary trackways, and pile driving mechanism suspended from said carriage.

,2. ln apparatus of the character described, a framework consisting of a series of bents each comprising uprights, a top horizontal beam, and lower horizontal members, devices for detachably connecting the foregoing parts to each other, longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other, devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, trackways supported from the top horizontal beams, means for-supporting said trackways whereby the same may be adjusted with respect to said top horizontal beams of the bents, a carriage adapted to travel onsaid trackways, and pile driving mechanism suspended from said carriage. V i

3. ln apparatus ofv the character described, a framework consisting of a series of bents each comprising uprights, a top horizontal beam, and lower horizontal members, devices for detachably connecting the foregoing parts to each other, longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other, devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, a main trackway centrally supported from the top horizontal beams of the bents, auxiliary trackways supported from the top horizontal beams on each side of the main trackway, means for supporting said auxiliary trackways whereby the same may be adjusted with respect to said main trackway on said top horizontal beams of the bents, a carriage adapted to travel on said auxiliary trackways, and pile driving mechanism suspended from said carriage.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a framework consisting of a series of bents each comprising uprights, a top horizontal beam, and lower horizontal members, devices for detachably connecting the foregoing parts to each other, longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other, devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, a main trackway auxil comprising an I beam centrally supported in l 7, top ho 'i iontal beams of the bents, traeliways comprising'I beams wa'ipportet from the top horizontal beams on each s de of the main trackway, means slidably engaging said auxiliary traclrways and said top horizontal beams of the bents i iere'by the same may be adusted with respect to each other, a carriage adapted to travel on said auxiliary traclrway's, and pile driving mechanism. suspended from said carriage. y In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a trackway com irising a rolled steel flanged member and a rolled steel flanged beam for suppor ing said trackway, of a device for attaching said traclzway to said beam comprising a unitary member having grooves in its upper and lower faces extending transversely to each. other, said grooves being respectively complemental to and slidably engaging the flanges ot' the supporting beam and the flanges of the traclr vay, a carriage adapted to travel on said trackway, and pile driving mechanism suspended from said carriage, the arrangement being such that the trackway may be adjusted with respect to the framework to thereby permit the pile driving mechanism to be positioned directly over the line of the piling, I

6. In apparatus of the character deccribed, the combination with a trackway comprising a rolled steeljflanged member and a rolled steel flanged beam "for supporting said traclrway, ot a device for attaching said traclnvay to said beam comprising a unitary member having grooves in its upper and lower faces extending transversely to asst-o5 each other, said grooves being respectively complemental to and slidably engaging the flanges of the supporting beam and the ranges of the-trackway,"and means for securing the flanges of the supportingbeam and trackway in said grooves, a carriage adapted to travel on said trackway, and pile driving mechanism suspended from said carriage, the arrangement being such that the t'rackway maybe adjusted with respect to'the framework to thereby permit the pile driving mechanism tobe positioned directly over the line of'the piling.

'7. In apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination with a tracl-rxvay comprising a rolled steel flanged member and arolled steel" flanged beam torsupporting'said trackway,'of a device for attaching said traclrway' tosaid'beam comprising a unitary member'having grooves in its upper and lower faces extending transversely to each other, said grooves being respectively coinplemental to and 'slidably engaging the flanges ofth'e supporting beam and the flanges oi the trackway, and set screws threaded in said unitary member adapted to engage and secure the fiangesof the su porting beamand'traclrway with respect to each other, a carriage adapted to travel on said traclcway, and pile driving mechanism suspended fromsaid carriage, the arrangement being such thatthe trackway may be adjusted with respect to the framework to thereby permit the pile driving mechanism to be positioned direotlyover the line or" the piling.

in testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed-my name.

- JAMES F; REILLY. 

